Saturday, 27 November 2010

A few topics presented themselves for discussion this week, but one has pretty much obliterated all others from consideration: the announcement that The Luminaire will be closing in January 2011. This may not mean much to those of you more than a stone’s-throw from London, but it should: I’ll explain why…

The Luminaire was that rare thing (rare in the UK, certainly): an independent, quality live music venue that cared about artists and audience. Living in Brighton, I wasn’t exactly on its doorstep, but I saw more than my fair share of shows there and was involved ‘behind the scenes’ in a good few too. Without exception, every time I went there the staff were attentive, helpful and concerned that the majority of people should have a good time enjoying the music.

Some may think otherwise, but I was overjoyed to find that they had a listening policy: signs stuck (and later, more permanently, painted) around the room advised people who preferred to talk over the performance that they may want to go elsewhere (see image above). I’ll never forget that. (They do have a sense of humour too, though)

It lasted five years and hosted some exceptional shows (see, happy band does equal better gig), punching well above their weight when the competition was Clear Channel/Mean Fiddler/Borderline (post sell-off) et al. Two consecutive nights at the Luminaire (as many bands did) was always a better prospect than one in a soulless sound-pit. Word got around: bands and agents talk to each other, and most agreed that this was probably the best live music venue in the UK.

While the imminent closure of the (more famous) fabled 100 Club has gained some press attention and a campaign to save it, I really hope the same might happen for “the Lumi”; hell, maybe Chuck Norris will come and save the day! I can’t imagine a live music world without it… well, I can, but it’s one of branded venues selling crap beer, charging over the odds, and treating both bands and punters like cattle. Andy, John, Danny, Frid, Jen, Molly and many others I didn't meet: you did a great job. Thank you!

Lesson: support your local independent music venue. You’ll miss it when it’s too late!

Monday, 15 November 2010

After recently buying a 'proper' turntable, I've been heavily biased towards vinyl - both listening to long-cherished, long-owned albums as well as buying new releases on wax in preference to CDs. This trend was bucked last weekend at a record fair in Brighton, when I chanced across a CD copy of 'Flubber', the second album by Souled American. Had the vinyl for yonks, and the 1999 CD reissue, but finding the original CD caused an audible gasp - the kind that makes a stall-holder wish they'd stuck a £10 price tag on a disc rather than the quid or so it cost me. Thus, a marathon Souled American session has ensued. Whenever this happens, I end up telling everyone I speak to - and reminding those I told last time I was 'under the influence' - just how incredible this band is.

They released six albums (four on Rough Trade, two on German label, Moll); the first ‘Fe’ in1988, two years before Uncle Tupelo put out a record and six years before The Jayhawks broke through with ‘Hollywood Town Hall’. So, yes, you may never have heard of them but they were truly ground-breaking. Soporific and swampy, slow and sweet, with each record they became progressively slower and more intense – a classic example of ‘less is more’. Jim Becker of Califone (and sometimes Souled American) once characterised them to me as getting more stoned with each record, to the point were now they can’t get off the sofa: in fact, Califone are a good indication of a band developing what SA started (both produced by Brian Deck). I should add that the band haven't officially packed it in, but new material is no more than a trickle (one original song since 1997). This has perhaps served only to increase their myth, as the tributes build up - John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats wrote a glowing piece for Harp magazine (although it is no longer available online) claiming them one of very few bands he would write for or whose songs he would cover.

It’s often claimed that humans only use 10% of their brain: people who make such claims have probably never listened to Souled American, I think if you can find ‘Fe’, ‘Flubber’, ‘Around The Horn’, ‘Sonny’ (all these re-released by American indie label Tumult in 1999), ‘Frozen’ or ‘Notes Campfire’, you’re looking at alt-country’s answer to latter-day Talk Talk or what might have happened had Michael Hurley joined Meat Puppets. Buy them.

Monday, 8 November 2010

I was feeling a little down at the news that the mighty Centro-matic were over in Europe (small print: Spain only) and not coming to the UK. So, I decided to indulge myself with a marathon Centro-matic session, starting with the still-incredible-after-all-these-years Redo The Stacks. A monumental album that calls to mind everyone from Guided By Voices to Nirvana (that's a broad enough spectrum, right?), and by the mid-point I'd decided I wanted to share a bit with some potential Centro-virgins among my Facebook contacts.

My disappointment at not finding anything bar some shaky live clips (great, but always work better when you were there) was suddenly obliterated by a link to a track I hadn't heard of before. Now, it's not unlikely that even the most devoted fan has missed a track or two, since Will Johnson is arguably the most prolific songwriter around - but, wait, this one has a shiny video attached to it and REALLY IS a BRAND NEW CENTRO-MATIC song! What's more, as the supporting Vimeo page claims, it's a pre-cursor to a forthcoming new album, Candidate Waltz, in 2011.

(UPDATE: shortly after finding/posting this, the video became password-protected. I don't have the password. Sorry. Decided to leave the post up to help promote the band...it's not like the whole world is writing about Centro-matic. Maybe a few more will find them here)

Will's been working even harder lately, and if you managed to get to any Monsters Of Folk shows, you'll recognise him as the 'fifth Beatle' in that project. Big as fan as I am of Jim James and M Ward (we'll leave Conor Oberst out of it...) I was very excited to see Will involved. Such exposure can only bring good things for Centro-matic (and of course South San Gabriel). As well as the MoF shows, he's been on the road and in people's houses with Anders Parker (another 'guest drummer' strand here, but that's for another time): Anders is a truly exceptional performer, songwriter, guitarist and all-round top dude. You should check out his great 'Tell It To The Dust album (Baryon, 2004). Hmmm, I wonder if Will decorated any of the living rooms they played in too?

What of the other guys...?

Scott Danbom has been keeping busy touring with Sarah Jaffe, who's causing a stir touring with Lou Barlow and (soon) Ben Weaver - and coincidentally has this handsome devil in her catchy new video (you have to wait until around 4 minutes in...I swear the guy's been cloned, how can he be in so many places at once?)

I was going to be even-handed and mention Mark Hedman, but I have to come clean and say I don't know what he's been up to... but he's not forgotten :-)

So, no critical commentary on the video: no, I'm too excited for objective analysis and - besides - my computer doesn't get on with Vimeo. Everything's jerky video and stop-start audio, so you'll likely be enjoying the film way more than I can at the moment. Please share this with everyone you know - is that what the kids mean by 'viral'?

And, if you're in or near Spain in the next couple of weeks, fair play to you - you lucky so-and-so's. Send us a postcard eh?

Friday, 29 October 2010

A week late (so apologies that some tour alerts sound a little dated) but still worth two hours of your time: God knows it took me longer than that to edit the interview with Drag The River, Austin Lucas (& Chloe Manor) and Cory Branan. Worth the effort though! In the end the neglected guitars (left in van as it sped off after dropping the guys) were not missed as Austin and Chloe belted out a tremendous a capella murder ballad, (Cruel Brothers). You also get a listen to Austin/Cory's tour-only seven (thanks to Elmer at Hometown Caravan) and tracks from DTR's brand new release 2010 Demons: available digitally from the band (name-your-price), and on vinyl (while limited stocks last!) from Hometown Caravan and Suburban Home. Yeah, Christmas is coming, but don't wait that long...

... and this Cory Branan fella? Holy 'moly! The upstart almost stole the show! Proceed without delay to www.corybranan.com to get hold of his two solo records: The Hell You Say and 12 Songs - should be a new one along shortly... expect it to be as good as this...

Friday, 8 October 2010

I'll add links and what-not later, but for now here's the playlist for the new show. The highlight has to be our interview with Barton Carroll, during which he plays three songs 'live'. His new record, Together You & I on Skybucket Records, is currently on heavy rotation at Gilded Towers: properly engaging lyrics (listen to Shadowman in the session: incredible, up there with The Master)...

Friday, 1 October 2010

Seeing as the current Gilded Palace radio show will run for another week, and seeing as I didn't blog on the playlist in the first place, here's the gen: the show will be live (i.e. free) for another week before it goes into the archive (i.e. paid).
If you listen even irregularly to the show you can't have failed to hear the name Suburban Home Records mentioned: a little label out of Denver, Colorado that has for the past few years been putting out some of our favourite records. To my knowledge they still don't have distribution in the UK/EU, but hook-ups with like-minded souls at Hometown Caravan (Austin Lucas) and Gunner Records (Ninja Gun) mean it has been easier to get hold of some of their releases more locally. So, once you've enjoyed the first hour of non-SH new releases and other belters (Elf Power's new album!), grab a cold one (can you get PBR over here?!) and enjoy an hour of Sub. Home's finest (and I'll try and be clever and post links to all the releases in the playlist so you can pick them up yourself - or listen to the albums in their entirity thanks to the nifty 'players' on their site).

Monday, 13 September 2010

New edition of the Gilded Palace radio show went 'live' this weekend. Playlist below...

Hot stuff? Brand new Charlie Parr, who - by the time his tour is done - I will have missed completely :-(. Doubly depressing as he's now met up with the mighty Black Twig Pickers. If you're anywhere near their shows, don't miss what promises to be an incredible bill.

Charlie Parr: Far Cry From Fargo (Electric Picnic session 2009):

Black Twig Pickers: Don't Drink Nothin' But Corn (Chapel Hill, 2009):

Very excited about Irish band, The Dinah Brand (ex-Stars Of Heaven), whose frankly gorgeous new album is released by the same boutique label who brought us The Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock, so there's more than one reason to check it out.

Monday, 6 September 2010

Mooching around the web to see how the press has received their new album, Wildwood, I chanced across this 35-minute video session & interview with the wonderful Chatham County Line.

I'm starting to realise that this is their most accomplished album yet. At first, yes, I still missed the bluegrass stylings of earlier releases (felt the same about IV on first listen), but there's so much more going on in these songs that flashy, hundred-note solos (though John and Chandler get to bust out a few of those too!). Listen to Crop Comes In played here: more to the point, *watch* them perform it - there are more parts than a Meccano set, and no nuts left over at the end! The banjo at the start of Alone In New York already sounds like a classic intro a la Mcguinn on Mr Tambourine Man.

SEVEN songs performed in this session - that's almost two-thirds of the new album! I don't remember the last time I saw a band afforded that luxury in any press engagement. Respect to MyNC.com for give them the time - and to the boys for having the chops to take the challenge. Enjoy this and see them 'live' in a couple of weeks (European dates below)...

Friday, 3 September 2010

Another (tardy) edition of The Gilded Palace Radio Show has just gone 'live' at www.totallyradio.com. A one-hour show, for one week only: time was tight (just back from tour, kids back to school, etc.) so another one-hour show will follow next week... that equals two hours for the fortnight. All good. Playlist below... link to show at the end of this post.

The Caitlin Rose album is very good: a couple of killer tracks and growing on me every play. Ginny Hawker really deserves to get the same kind of attention afforded Diana Jones (deserved though it is: both are exceptional). Finally, if you're reading this any time before Sunday afternoon and you're in the south-east of England, there's still time to get over to Winchester for this unmissable line-up... Danny and Bruntnell on the same bill? God, I hope Elliott Brood and Pete get together for a version of Powderfinger :-D More info at SXSC's Myspace

Saturday, 14 August 2010

The new edition of the Gilded Palace Radio show is now up at Totally Radio. Playlist below.

You can listen any time over the next two weeks (next show should go up on 27th August). New releases from Mark Olson (touring in December!), Chatham County Line (touring in September!) and covers of Neil Young, Sam Cooke (yes, Sam Cooke) and Prince (yes, Prince).

Also airing recent tracks from Kris Kristofferson and Natalie Merchant, both of whom were ace at Cambridge Folk Festival. No Youtube videos (not that kind of crowd, I guess: no phones in the air... they get het-up about people using high-backed chairs!) so here's another performance from Ms. Merchant:

While I did get Kristofferson to sign an album, I'm afraid I 'bottled' approaching Natalie. Ooooh... ahem, anyway; that playlist...

Friday, 16 July 2010

It's a band-name - one of the great ones. I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House. They're from Portland, which of course gives them a headstart in my book (what is it in the water in that place?), and I thought they were long gone. But, no, the mighty Suburban Home Records announced recently that then would be releasing brand new SOB in 2010.

I first happened upon them in 2004 when the CDBaby site was burning a hole in my pocket. I couldn't hit 'Buy' fast enough after previewing their (then) only two releases: Creepy Little Noises and Put Here To Bleed. If you ever hankered for a heavier Truckers, if you think every band should have a (dedicated) harmonica player, if you wished the 'red' in (so-called) redneck music meant politically 'red'... look here:

I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House: F*** Fred Phelps And The) Westboro Baptist Church:

(You may have heard of Westboro Baptist Church - featured on UK television too: they are some of the sickest people I've ever come across and this song channels the anger every right-thinking person must feel when confronted by such bigotry).

And this may be an easier target, but Mike Damron was writing this back in 2002, when the majority of Americans (so we're led to believe) supported troops in Iraq... i.e. before the body-bags started coming home...

I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House: American F***machine (sorry, not all SOB songs have the F word in the title!)

There was a third SOB album: Menace in 2004 (belter too) and then in 2006, after five years they decided that maybe after all *they* were licked and the band folded. It's better to burn out than fade away, but sometimes it's worth rekindling the flame (damn, that was almost poetic!) and earlier this year word started to get out that SOB were back - and on Suburban Home Records: perfect.

As Suburban Home has been a catalyst in recent UK/European tours by the likes of Drag The River, Ninja Gun and Two Cow Garage, it may not be too much to hope for that SOB make it over here too. I'll be down the front: face melted, fist pumping...
to this...

You can pick up the earlier SOB albums at CD Baby and pre-order the new one from Suburban Home now. If you've never bought Sub Home before, you should also know that they like to throw in the odd treat... buy the CD (instant download) and you get a free beer coozie (and my Two Cow Garage coozie has never let me down yet :-D). Disappointingly, there's no vinyl pre-order yet... anyone else liking the vinyl w. download option becoming the trend lately? After all, if I'm sitting down to listen to physical media I'm usually at the turntable (to my ears, by comparison, CD might as well be good-quality MP3 by comparison). C'mon Virgil: if you're going to release the vinyl anyway (coming soon, apparently) give those of us willing to wait for wax a chance to hear the record now... pretty please :-)

Last one: Mike D and boys take aim at people who may not make such a good job of being a musician, y'know once it goes to their head...

I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House: The Ballad Of Courtney Taylor:

Monday, 12 July 2010

New releases from Bon Iver (covering John Prine!), The Books, Chatham County Line, Fred Eaglesmith, the death-defying Peter Case and our very own Salter Cane – as well as an EXCLUSIVE airing for the brand new Dolorean album. http://www.totallyradio.com/show_pages/shows.php?show=66

Wednesday, 23 June 2010

I'm aware that a lot of music gets hyped to the heavens, not all of it deserving such high praise; I'm honestly bewildered about how frequently people are telling me about this-or-that 'incredible new album' (they don't come along any more frequently than they used to, do they...?) but here's my two-pennorth for a record that already has my juices flowing, even though it won't be out until September.

Al James' Dolorean have been among the Gilded Palace Hall-of-Famers since we heard Violence in The Snowy Fields in 2004. They broke the mould with the stunning You Can't Win in 2008, a sumptuous feast of an album - which all but disappeared without a trace, signalling the end of his tenure with Yep Roc. (James' own comments on the album are an insightful accompaniment)

At last (and after a break during which You Can't Win became something of a word-of-mouth winner) Dolorean ready their next release. The Unfazed is more than a title, it's an affirmation: we can win.

Two new tracks 'The Unfazed' and Hard Working Dogs' feature in this streaming player, alongside choice back-catalogue numbers - download 'The Unfazed' from the new Dolorean website and look out for the album and tour in the autumn.

Thursday, 10 June 2010

So, it seemed silly to be paying for a website we weren't using; with no shows to promote and neither the skills nor the time to turn that site to some other use (an archive of shows/posters etc would be nice... one day). Thus we pitch up here - at a (free) blog long neglected, but clearly the perfect home for a retired promotion still pumping out great radio shows (ahem).

If you're here looking for a gig, you've missed the boat. If you're here to listen to some great music, come on in! The Gilded Palace radio show is available 24/7, and updated fortnightly on Friday evening. Click the image below...

The Gilded Palace of Sin:

Former Americana, alt.country and roots promoters in Brighton from 2001 to 2009. Now dedicated to providing radio shows to roots-starved listeners the world over via the internet at www.totallyradio.com